If I convert my old laptop hard drive into an external drive, will I be able to boot the copy of Windows that's already on it on my new Mac Pro?
...Or is it only possible to do that with a single hard drive partitioned with the operating systems
2007-10-16 07:24:43 · 3 answers · asked by Mike 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Unfortunately, unlike Mac OS and Linux, Windows has limited drive booting ability as the install CD ships from Microsoft. The answer to your question is "No" and that also is the answer to the question of whether you could boot that drive externally connected to a PC.
You could change the Windows XP install files and burn a 'revised' Windows XP install CD that would install a different boot ability on the drive. Then it should boot when connected by USB. I doubt that you could ever get Windows to boot to a Firewire connected drive. That would be more desirable as even USB 2.0 will not move data consistently as fast as Firewire. To try to get Windows installed as a USB-bootable system, follow the link below.
2007-10-19 20:49:35 · answer #1 · answered by SilverTonguedDevil 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OS X isn't designed to run on non-Apple hardware. It take a super form of hacking, and careful selection of hardware for it to artwork. in case you desire to apply OS X, then you extremely are superb off basically paying for an Apple laptop interior the 1st place. (you could consistently deploy abode windows and Linux on that gadget)
2016-10-07 01:10:10 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go into Best Buy and ask the techs there, they must get asked this question all the time and would be able to give you a definite answer and show you how.
2007-10-16 07:29:45 · answer #3 · answered by firstl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋